Exerciser



April 10, 1934.

s. K. WOLF F EXERCI SER Filed March 1, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l J M 1 :1L

ATTORNEY April 10, 1934. s K, WOLFF 1,954,762

EXERCISER Filed March 1, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 10, 1934 UNEED STATES 1,954,762 EXE RCISER Saul K. Wolff, Long Beach, N. Y.

Application March 1,

9 Claims.

My invention relates to exercisers, and more particularly to a physical culture appliance for use in developing various muscles as well as inducing deep breathing as a result of the physical effort required to use the device.

Heretofore, various appliances for use in exercising have been produced and extensively used. Many of such have employed. elastic members, either spring or rubber, or friction devices, offering resistance to the movement of parts of the appliance by the user. The use of all such devices having elastic members, even when they are incorporated in what is known as rowing machines, is accompanied by an element of danger arising from possibility of breakage or disconnection of the elastic member.

With the above conditions in mind, I have provided an exerciser structure embodying therein a spring resistance element so confined that in the event of its breakage, or breakage of the controlling element therefor in the hands of the user, there is no possibility of personal injury. The manner of constructing and mounting this resistance element is such that the user is required to hold the element stationary with the feet while going through the various exercises for which the device may be used.

The device of the invention may be so adjusted as to the resistance developed, as to meet the requirements of different physiques, and when once adjusted, the working conditions of the device will remain substantially uniform at all times. While there is varying resistance with changing position of parts, such is not substan tial, although there will be an increasing resistance with an increase in the range of movement of the user. 7

The construction of the device is such that it may be used as a portable device, or may be per- 4.0 manently attached to the wall, floor or a special rigging, such as a rowing machine structure, the device being interchangeable in these varying relations.

The exerciser of the invention is composed of few parts arranged so compactly and of sufficiently light weight that when the device is not in use, it will occupy but little space, thus permitting it to be readily stored or carried.

The invention consists primarily in an exerciser embodying therein a housing, a shaft extending across and fixed in relation to said housing, a frame rotatably mounted upon said shaft,

a normally tensioned helical spring having one of its ends attached to said shaft, and the other end to said frame, a flexible non-elastic strap 1932, Serial No. 595,974

wound upon said frame, said housing having an opening therethrough through which said strap passes, a handhold carried by said strap, and footholds carried by and positioned upon opposite sides of supports for said housing whereby said housing may be held against movement to permit movement of said frame by said strap and said handhold; and in such other novel features of construction and combination of parts as are hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. l is a plan view of an exerciser embodying the invention with portions thereof broken away;

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof partly broken away;

Fig. 3 is an end view thereof partly broken away;

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the mechanism for varying the normal tension of the resistor spring; j

Fig. 5 is a side view upon a smaller scale showing the exerciser applied to what is known as a rowing machine; and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of Fig. 5.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, I employ a housing composed of two cupped members 10 and 11 each having an upwardly extending side flange 12 and 13 upon opposite sides of an opening through the top of the housing. Mounted in and extending between the flanges 12 and 13 are two anti-friction rollers 14 and 15, spaced apart sufiicicntly to permit the free running of a flexible, non-elastic strap 16 therebetween. The edge of one of the sections, as 10, is reduced in diameter, as shown at 1'7, to permit a slip connection between the two parts of the housing and ensure against the formation of a gap around the housing at this point.

Carried by and extending between the two housing members 10 and 11 is a shaft 18 which is secured in a fixed relation to this housing by means of a releasable clamp nut 19 screw threaded upon one end of the shaft. The opposite end of the shaft is provided with a head 7 20 equipped with a ratchet wheel 21 closely adjacent the side of the housing. The clamp nut 19 is provided with wings 22 facilitating hand release and attachment of this nut, while the head 20 is also equipped with wings 23 by means of which the shaft may be turned to develop the desired tension in a helical spring 24, one

end of which spring is attached to said shaft 18. W

Carried by the housing part 11 and co-operating with the ratchet wheel 21 is a pawl 25 for holding any tension which may be developed in the spring 24.

Rotatably mounted upon the shaft 18 is a frame 26 having cross bars 27 adjacent the periphery thereof, the outer end of the helical spring 24 being connected to one of these cross bars.

The flexible, non-elastic strap 16 has one of its ends attached to one of the cross bars 27, this strap being wound about all of these cross bars, and having its free end passed between the anti? friction rollers 14 and 15 and connected with a handhold 28, engagement of whieh with the rollers will check the movement of the strap inwardly of the housing and maintain the desired normal tension upon the spring. This handhold is of a length to project well beyond the housing 10-11 so as to avoid likelihood of the hands of the user being drawn by the spring into contact with the edges of the housing, or with the side flanges 12 and 13 thereof.

The housing parts 10 and 11 are provided with laterally extending brackets 29 and firmly secured thereto and forming a base for the support of the exerciser. Secured to these straps 29 and 30 are footholds 31 and 32, each having a toe strap 33 and 34 so as to avoid likelihood of the foot of the user accidentally slipping from the foothold while the spring is placed under excess tension by the movement of the strap 16 outwardly of the housing.

In Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, I have shown the exerciser embodied in an ordinary rowing machine. This machine comprises a rectangular frame 35, the side bars of which serve as tracks for the usual sliding seat 36. Adjacent one end of and at each side of the machine are collapsible frames 37 connected with the frame by means of a fixed cross bar 38, the upper part of the frames being connected by a cross bar 39 parallel with the cross bar 38.

The detailed construction of the rowing machine proper is immaterial to the invention.

The cross bars 38 and 39 afford a support and attachment means for the exerciser unit, shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the footholds 31 and 32 resting against these bars and being secured in relation thereto by means of edge clamps carried by the bar and passing over each foothold.

The operation of the herein described exerciser is substantially as follows:-

Normally, the strap 16 is wound about the bars 27 of the rotatable frame 26, the direction of winding same being such that with movement of the frame clockwise, as shown in Fig. 2, such movement will be against the tension of the spring 24 with a tendency to further wind this spring with the movement of the frame.

Sincethe handhold 28 engages the rollers 14 and 15 carried by the housing, and the strap 16 holds the frame 26 against movement when wound thereupon, it is obvious that whatever tension may be placed upon the spring 24 this tension will be held because one end of the spring is attached to the shaft 18 carried by the housing and acts through the frame 26 and strap 16 against another part of the housing.

Before using the device the spring 24 should be brought to a tension to meet the requirements of the user. By releasing the clamp nut 19, the shaft 18 may be freely turned by means of the head 20, the co-operating pawl and ratchet 21 and 25 preventing a return movement of said shaft. If the tension on the spring already be too great, the shaft may be turned in a direction to unwind the spring by disengaging the pawl from its ratchet wheel and re-engaging it when the desired tension has been developed.

The rollers 14 and 15 permit the strap 16 to be pulled from any direction above or at either end of the housing 10l1, and these rollers will not only ensure a free running of the strap, but will prevent fraying of the strap even after prolonged use.

The exerciser may be used with a wide variety of exercisers and with continued use thereof the efifort required may be made greater by, from time to time, increasing the normal tension of the spring 24.

When it is desired to use the exerciser to develop the leg muscles, the user merely stoops, grasps the handhold 28 at opposite ends thereof, and by repeatedly rising and stooping the desired leg exercises will be secured. If it is desired to exercise the arm muscles, this may be done by drawing the strap 16 from the housing, the user standing erect and continuing the upward and downward movement of the handhold with the arms alone. In fact, the exerciser of the invention may be used with many of the exercises for which Wall weights are now used by attaching the housing to the wall in any desired manner. Of course, lateral spreading of the arms is not feasible with a single exerciser, but two may be used and the exerciser so positioned as to permit a limited side movement of the strap. If it is desired to develop the back and abdominal muscles, this is erator standing upon the foothold 3132 and by repeatedly bending over and standing erect while the handhold 28 is grasped by both hands of the user.

It will be noted that whatever the form of exercise for which the appliance be used, the user is required to exert considerable muscular eifort in drawing the strap 16 from the housing, and also to retard the return movement of the strapinto the housing.

Above I have referred to various exercises which may be had by the user taking a standing posture. It is obvious that if desired, a user may take a sitting posture upon the floor and by engaging his feet with both footholds 31 and 32 go 3.

through various exercises which may be taken in this posture.

In fact, the exerciser of the invention is capable of use with a wide variety of exercises and the resistance to the various bodily movements will always be the same unless the user deliberately varies the tension of the spring 24.

The foot straps 33 and 34 are used to prevent accidental escape of the housing from the control of the user. assume various different postures while using the device without likelihood of the escape of the housing from the control of the feet.

The spring 24 is confined within the housing 1011 so that in the event ofthe breakage of the spring, there is no possibility of injury to the user. The strap 16, being of non-elastic material, there is no likelihood of injury to the user as a result of breakage of this strap. This factor of safety permits the development of a fairly heavy tension in the spring 24. In the device, as shown in the drawings, the normal tension of the spring will be in the neighborhood of forty pounds, although of course this may be varied as described.

done by the op- They also permit the user to While, as the strap 16 is drawn outwardly of the housing 10-11, the spring 24 will be wound more tightly, thus developing increased tension, the frame 24.- will seldom receive more than three rotations, so that the increased strength of the spring, measured in pounds, will never be very great.

It is essential in the use of the device that the spring 24 be brought to and maintained at a desired normal tension when the strap 16 is wound upon the frame 26. This normal tension may be determined by the needs of the user, so that the appliance may be adjusted to the requirements of children and adults without structural changes in the device.

For gymnasium purposes the footholds 31 and. 32 may be removed from the brackets 29 and 30 and the exerciser may be firmly attached, by means of these brackets, to the floor or wall of the building.

It will be noted that the exerciser is composed of but few parts. The housing in the actual exerciser is approximately five inches in diameter and less than three inches in width. The overall dimensions are within twelve inches square as to the base, and within six inches as to height, the showing in the drawings being about twothirds actual size. These small dimensions permit the exerciser to be readily packed in a travelling bag and leave ample space for other articles within the bag. Its weight is measured by only a few pounds. The above dimensions are not essential to the invention, but are given merely as illustrative of the compactness and portability of the device. 7

The strap 16 may be made of heavy textile webbing capable of withstanding the stresses to which it is subjected without liability of any material stretch. While this strap may be placed under fairly heavy tension while the exerciser is in use, nevertheless if it should break it would have little or no tendency to fly and thus injure the user. 7

The two parts 10 and 11 of the housing are held in their desired relation inclosing the spring 24, the frame 26 and the wound strap 16 by the shaft 18. This shaft is rigidly held in relation to the housing under normal conditions of use, but may be released and turned when it is desired to vary the tension on the spring 24. The wings 22 and 23 have a rather wide spread, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so as to facilitate the hand actuation of the shaft and of the clamp nut. No spring is required upon the pawl 25 since the pressure thereon from the ratchet wheel 21 is adequate to prevent accidental displacement of the pawl. If such should occur, however, the only effect would be the relieving of the tension upon the spring, which can be readily remedied by a rewinding thereof.

While the device is in use, the clamp nut 19 will effectively prevent rotation of the shaft 18. One end of the spring 24 may be secured to the shaft in any desired manner, and the free end thereof is forked and looped so as to engage with a cross bar 27. As shown, the end of the strap 16 is also looped and engaged with the same cross bar 2?, but this is immaterial.

It is not my intention to limit the invention to the precise details of construction shown in the accompanying drawings, it being apparent that such may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is:-

1. An exerciser embodying therein a housing, a shaft extending across and fixed in relation to said housing, a frame rotatably mounted upon said shaft, a normally tensioned helical spring having one of its ends attached to said shaft, and the other end to said frame, a iiexible non-elastic strap wound upon said frame, said housing having an opening therethrough through which said strap passes, a handhold carried by said strap, and footholds carried by and positioned upon opposite sides of said housing whereby said housing may be held against movement to permit movement of said frame by said strap and said handhold.

2. An exerciser embodying therein a housing composed of two cupped members, a shaft having a head engageable with one of said cupped members, a clamp nut co-operating with screw threads upon the other end of said shaft and engageable with the other of said cupped members, said shaft extending across said housing, a frame rotatably mounted upon said shaft within said housing, a normally tensioned helical spring having one of its ends attached to said shaft, and the other end to said frame, a flexible non-elastic strap wound upon said frame, said housing having an opening therethrough through which said strap passes, a handhold carried by said strap, and footholds carried by and positioned upon opposite sides of said housing whereby said housing may be held against movement to permit movement of said frame by said strap and said handhold.

3. An exerciser embodying therein a housing, a shaft extending across and fixed in relation to said housing, a frame rotatably mounted upon said shaft, a normally tensioned helical spring having one of its ends attached to said shaft, and the other end to said frame, a flexible nonelastic strap wound upon said housing having an opening therethrough through which said strap passes, anti-friction rollers mounted in said opening and engageabe by said strap, a handhold. carried by said strap, and foot holds carried by and positioned upon opposite sides of said housing whereby said housing may be held against movement to permit movement of said frame by said strap and said handhold.

4. An exerciser embodying therein a housing composed of two cupped members, each having an outwardly extending flange forming an opening in said housing, a shaft having a head engageable with one of said cupped members, a 130 clamp nut co-operating with screw threads upon the other end of said shaft and engageable with the other of said cupped members, said shaft extending across said housing, a frame rotatably mounted upon said shaft within said housing, a 135 normally tensioned helical spring having one of its ends attached to said shaft, and the other end to said frame, anti-friction rollers mounted between said outwardly extending flanges, a flexible non-elastic strap wound upon said frame and 140 passing outwardly of said housing between said anti-friction rollers, a handhold carried by said strap, and footholds carried by and positioned upon opposite sides of said housing whereby said housing may be held against movement to 145 permit movement of said frame by said strap and said handhold.

5. An exerciser embodying therein a housing,

a shaft extending across and fixed in relation to said housing, a frame rotatably mounted upon 150 GOI : tioned upon said shaft, a normally tensioned helical spring having one of its ends attached to said shaft, and the other end to said frame, a flexible nonelastic strap wound upon said frame, said housing having an opening therethrough through which said strap passes, a handhold carried by said strap, laterally extending brackets at opposite sides of the bottom of said housing, and footholds carried by said brackets whereby said housing may be held against movement to permit movement of said frame by said strap and said handhold.

6. An exerciser embodying therein a housing, a shaft extending across and fixed in relation to said housing, a frame rotatably mounted upon said shaft, a normally tensioned helical spring having one of its ends attached to said shaft, and the other end to said frame, means whereby the tension of said spring may be varied, a flexible non-elastic strap wound upon said frame, said housing having an opening therethrough through which said strap passes, a handhold carried by said strap, and footholds carried by and positioned upon opposite sides of said housing whereby said housing may be held against movement to permit movement of said frame by said strap and said handhold.

7. An exerciser embodying therein a housing, a shaft having a head engageable with one side of said housing, a ratchet wheel carried by said shaft, a pawl carried by said housing co-operating with said ratchet wheel, a clamp nut co-operating with screw threads upon the other end of said shaft and engageable with the other side of said housing, a frame rotatably mounted upon said shaft within said housing, a normally tensioned helical spring having one of its ends attached to said shaft, and the other end to said frame, whereby rotation of said shaft will vary the tension of said spring, a flexible nonelastic strap wound upon said frame, said housing having an opening therethrough through which said strap passes, a handhold carried by said strap, and footholds carried by and posiopposite sides of said housing whereby said housing may be held against movement to permit movement of said frame by said strap and said handhold.

8. An exerciser embodying therein a housing composed of two cupped members, a shaft having a head engageable with the side of one of said members, a ratchet wheel carried by said shaft, a pawl carried by said member co-operating with said ratchet wheel, a clamp nut co-operating with screw threads upon the other end of said shaft engageable with the side of the other of said members, a frame rotatably mounted upon said shaft within said housing, a normally tensioned helical spring having one of its ends attached to said shaft, and the other end to said frame, whereby rotation of said shaft will vary the tension of said spring, a flexible non-elastic strap wound upon said frame, said housing having an opening therethrough through which said strap passes, a handhold carried by said strap, and footholds carried by and positioned upon opposite sides of said housing whereby said housing may be held against movement to permit movement of said frame by said strap and said handhold.

9. An exerciser embodying therein a housing composed of two cupped members, each having an outwardly extending flange forming an opening in said housing, a shaft having a head engageable with one side of said housing, a ratchet wheel carried by said shaft, a pawl carried by said housing co-operating with said ratchet wheel, a clamp nut co-operating with screw threads upon the other end of said shaft and engageable with the other side of said housing, a frame rotatably mounted upon said shaft within said housing, a normally tensioned helical spring having one of its ends attached to said shaft, and the other end to said frame, whereby rotation of said shaft will vary the tension of said spring, anti-friction rollers mounted between said outwardly extending flanges, a flexible non-elastic strap wound upon said frame and passing outwardly' of said housing between said anti-friction rollers, a handhold carried by said strap, and footholds carried by and positioned upon opposite sides of said housing whereby said housing may be held against movement to permit movement of said frame by said strap and said handhold.

SAUL K. WOLFF. 

